The Supreme Court of India in its judgment to a public interest litigation, dated December 10, 1996 has ordered setting up of a Child Labour Rehabilitation Welfare Fund to prevent the exploitation of children and to safeguard their economic interest and humanitarian rights. The Supreme Court also directed to pay compensation of Rs 20,000 by the offending employers for every child employed in hazardous occupations. As far as non-hazardous jobs are concerned, the court directed the state governments to establish an appropriate authority to ensure not more than 6 hours of work a day, and at least 2 hours of time for the child's education. The apex court also directed that the entire cost of education is to be borne by the employer.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in their meeting on January 20, 1999 approved continuance of the scheme of National Child Labour Project (NCLP) during the Ninth Plan. The CCEA also approved the increase in the number of such projects from 76 to 100.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) of Children Act, 2000, this Act was last amended in 2002 in conformity with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child covers young persons below 18 years of age. Section 26 of this Act deals with the Exploitation of a Juvenile or Child Employee, and provides in relevant part, that whoever procures a juvenile or the child for the purpose of any hazardous employment and keeps him in bondage and withholds his earnings or uses such earning for his own purposes shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable for fine. In some States, including Karnataka and Maharashtra, this provision has been used effectively to bring to book many child labour employers who are otherwise not covered by any other law and to give relief and rehabilitation benefits to a large number of children. This act was further amended in 2006 and 2010.

The Government's commitment to address the problem of child labour is reflected in the statement of National Agenda for Governance (1998), where it says that no child should remain illiterate, hungry/lack medical care and that measures will be taken to eliminate child labour.

Reference

Ahuja, Ram, Social Problems in India, Rawat Publications, Jaipur, 1997.